The Savage Club Lodge, No. 2190.

Antipodes . For my own p £ rt , I can say sincerely that one of the p leasantest Masonic gatherings I ever attended has been that at which we are now ssembled . I thank you for your kind welcome , and hope it will not be the fast-time that 1 shall have the pleasure of visiting you . ( Cheers . ) With

regard to the Grand Officers , I can only say that if all ot them do tneir duty as well as the Grand Secretary has done his to-day , vve need have no fear for the prosperity of the Grand Lodge . ( Cheers . ) As I believe' that in this lodge it is criminal to make long speeches , I will only again thank you . ( Cheers . ) The W ORSHIPFUL MASTER next proposed "The M . W . the Grand

Master of Ireland . " He said : I think that we cannot but regard the presence of his Grace the Grand Master of Ireland on this occasion as an event of special interest and importance . ( Cheers . ) The Du-ke of Abercorn has performed many services for Freemasonry , and deservedly possesses the esteem of every Freemason throughout the world —( cheers)—and

is also held in high . esteem generally for his many private and social virtues . It has been my privilege in the past to serve under the noble duke in many matters , and I can honestly say that I know of no one vvho more combines in his person and qualities the essential attributes which constitute all that is typ ical of the British gentleman than the Duke of Abercorn . ( Cheers . )

The Duke of ABERCORN , in reply , said : I need not say that I most cordially thank you for the way in which you have drunk my health this evening . The Deputy Grand Master has just said that it is criminal to make long speeches , and as I happen to be an Irishman you can well understand that I do not wish to come under the criminal law . ( Laughter . )

Therefore my observations will be very brief . The reception you have been good enough to give me I take not as a compliment to myself , but as a compliment to the Order over which I have the honour to preside in Ireland—the Irish Freemasons . It shows the cordiality , the'friendship , and the brotherly love which you as Masons in this country entertain towards our brethren in

Ireland . ( Cheers . ) I Only wish that there should be a little closer Masonic relations between you both . Were it not for that unfortunate silver streak which divides Ireland from England , I am sure you would often have an opportunity of welcoming our Irish brethren over here , and that the hospitality for which our Irish brethren are noted would be in no way inferior to your

own . Those vvho know the warmth and hospitality of the Irish people , their quickness of character , and the brilliancy of their wit , would understand that he felt it a great position to occupy to be Grand Master of the Irish Freemasons . Though a small body in comparison with their English brethren , they are always ready vvhen called upon to perform their Masonic rites and duties . In Dublin we have Masonic entertainments , at which some

excellent music is given , and soma very good Masonic fun in no way inferior to your own . I only hope that when there may be a great Masonic gathering in Ireland , if any of you happen to be in Ireland , and will communicate with the Grand Secretary in Dublin , we will show you tlie best hospitality in our power . ( Cheeis . ) You know that we have the Girls ' and Boys' Schools

in Dublin . Our funds are , of course , not so large as yours , and therefore the Institutions are smaller , but the } ' are in a most flourishing condition . All the girls who were on the list last year were , through a special Jubilee fund , elected . If any of you , brethren , are in Dublin , and will only take the trouble on any Wednesday to pay a visit to the Girls' School at Ball ' s

Bridge , you will be hospitably entertained by the matron , and see about 70 girls there who do credit to Freemasons . As I have said , the Boys' School is also in a flourishing condition . I am especially glad to be present when I see on my left your Worshipful Master , and my very old friend , Sir Somers Vine . ( Cheers . ) Owing to my long connection vvith Sir Somers

Vine , I am fully aware of the esteem in which he is held . ( Cheers . ) I have been lately residing in Ireland in a quiet and unostentatious way , and coming to this magnificent banquet it has an effect upon me somewhat of a child in a theatre when the curtain is raised before the transformation scene . Having , as I say , lived in peace and quietness in Ireland , I come over and

see this magnificent scene . I understand that you have been entertaining a king and queen ( a playful reference to Bros . Herbert Campbell and Harry Nicholls , who represent the king and queen in Bro . Augustus Harris ' s brilliant pantomime of "Puss in Boots" at Drury Lane Theatre ) , vvho have had to leave us in order to take their places on their thrones in another

place . You vvho live in England are very much interested in what you read in the Irish papers , and I am very much interested in what I read in the English papers . An event has recently occurred which has filled me with great interest and sympathy—that is the sad story which has deprived you latel y of one of your members—a member of the Iodge vvho was beloved

and respected by you all , who went to a foreign country and never returned . Inat sad event has filled me with the greatest amount of sympathy , and the great anxiety and earnestness which not only the brethren of this lodge , but tne members of the Savage Club , entertained with respect to his fate showed

the regard vvhich vvas felt for him . I did not know him , but if he had any P-irt in arranging the order in which this Iodge is now conducted , I have not onl y to congratulate you on the present condition of the lodge , but to deepl y lament his loss . ( Cheers . )

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in proposing "Success to the Savage Club odge , ' said : Twelve months ago we commenced our career with the re-S f u ~ n 0 t Wlt * 10 ut some misgiving , and with all due deference to the rules 0 the Order—that vve vvould restrict the members of the lodge—the initial Membershi p—to members of the Savage Club . The result has far exceeded

Ur niost sanguine expectations . ( Cheers . ) If we include those whose names of re announce d to-day as joining members , vve have a roll of 60 members , all whom are able to claim one another , not only as brother Masons , but as Jo her Savages . ( Cheers . ) It is a great pleasure to me to be able to say that arity , the foremost principle of the Order , has not been forgotten by us . We e established , and I hope on a permanent basis , a Benevolent Fund for

The Savage Club Lodge, No. 2190.

the relief of distressed brethren vvho may , unfortnnately , light upon evil times . We have also joyfully contributed to the National Memorial of the Queen ' s Jubilee , and have in many directions evinced sympathy vvith objects which have commended themselves to the feelings of the brethren as Masons and as men . I am pleased to state that in addition to this we have

cleared off our liabilities , and are in the happy position of having a balance at our bankers . ( Cheers . ) This , I hope , will be taken by the Grand Officers as a justification for the foundation of the Savage Club Lodge , ( Cheers . ) We have had , however , our period of cloud and depression : I refer to the mysterious disappearance and tragic fate of our beloved brother and

Secretary . In Archibald McNeill the world has lost a good man , and the Craft a bright example . ( Cheers . ) His most enduring monument will be the Savage Club Lodge , and as long as it exists his work and his name will never be forgotten . ( Cheers . ) After another interval of entertainment ,

The WORSHIPFUL MASTERproposed "Our Visiting Brethren , " and said It has been our good fortune to dispense our hospitality to-night to some very distinguished men and Masons , and there are brethren sitting at this tablevvhose names are household words throughout the country . The compliment paid to Sir Francis Knollys by the Grand Master vvas regarded as a compliment to this lodge , he being one of our honorary members .

Lord CHARLES BERESFORD , M . P ., replied in a few humorous observations , in which he remarked that the lodge vvas composed of members of the Savage Club , and that everybody who belonged to that Institution mus } have some merit in him . The fact that one was a member of that Club vvas a proof that he had some brains , and that he had had to use his brains ,

and he believed that there vvas no one belonging to that Club vvho had not had to use his brains at some time or other in order to make his living . ( Cheers . ) Lord HERSCHELL next proposed " The VVorshipfuI Master . " He said I understand that it is against the rules to make anything like a speech on this occasion . Dinner is one of the most excellent institutions which

Savages have handed down to modern times , but after dinner speeches are , perhaps , one of the worst products ofa mischievous civilisation . ( Laughter . ) But the toast I have to propose is one that could not be omitted . I have had peculiar opportunities of observing the qualities of your VVorshipfuI

Masier , and I am able , therefore , to say with the utmost confidence that he possessses marvellous zeal , industry , and energy in anything he undertakes , and that he combines with those active qualities a geniality , kindness , and promptness , which renders him eminently well-fitted for the post of Worshipful Master of a Masonic lodge . ( Cheers . )

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in reply , said : I sincerely hope that the brevity of my acknowledgment ot the toast will not be taken as the measure of my gratitude . This is not the first , time I have had an opportunity of expressing my indebtedness to the brethren of tlie Savage Club , and I can sa y that because every member of the lodge is also a member of the Savage

Club . Years ago , when I was in the active practice of the profession , they thought me worthy of a place in their midst , and that position has done very much to help me in my career . I should consider that I was wanting in the qualities which ought to distinguish a grateful man if I did not admit this on every occasion . I will endeavour to repay your kindness by a

strict devotion to the duties of the high office to which you have unanimously chosen me . ( Cheers . ) To my brethren in general I will say that I will strive in the future , as I can honestly assure them I have striven in the past , to fulfil that great qualification which makes a member of the Savage Club welcome all over the civilised world , viz ., that of being a good fellow all round . ( Cheers . )

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , again rising after another interval of entertainment , in proposing " The Installing Master , " said : We have , as I have said , many distinguished visitors , but I do not know any to whom vve are under a greater debt of gratitude than Coi . Shadwell Clerke . ( Cheers . ) From the day the lodge vvas founded he has been a friend to whom we could

go at any moment to seek advice and obtain good counsel . ( Cheers . ) He has performed many services to this lodge . You will remember the impressive manner in which he performed the consecration ceremony last year , and you have witnessed the excellent manner in vvhich he has carried out the

duties of Installing Master to-day . ( Cheers . ) Col . Shadwell Clerke has many claims upon us , and we have elected him as one oi the honorary members of the lodge , and it is only fitting that he should on this occasion have a special toast in his honour . ( Cheers . )

Col . SHADWELL CLERKE , in reply , said : I am very grateful to your W . M . for the kind and fraternal feelings which have prompted him to bring my name before you . I also wish to thank the Deputy Grand Master for the flattering manner in which he was good enough to refer to my services to-day . It is my duty and my pleasure to do everything to forward Masonry

in every way . VVhen I had the honour of consecrating your Iodge last year , I felt that the Savage Club Lodge had a great mine to explore . You have set yourselves to work , and have dug out of that mine a large number oi jewels , but I am sure that there are many more precious stones to be unearthed . I congratulate the lodge on the success already attained , and I

am sure that under the able and genial Mastership of Sir Somers Vine , whose qualities have been so trul y depicted by Our distinguished brother , Lord Herschell , the Savage Club Lodge will increase its useiulness and prosperity , and that the day is not far distant when it will take a deservedly

high position among the lodges of the Order . I can only assure you that my services in the future—as you have been kind enough to say they have been in the past—will always be at the service and command of the Savage Club Lodge . ( Cheers . )

TheW . M , next proposed "Our American Brethren , " and said 1 The cosmopolitan character of the Savage Club is renowned throughout the civilised world . It enjoys reciprocal relations vvith tha colonies , and particu-